‘They do what they do’: Coaches weigh in on the

Around 1 a.m. ET, in the wee hours of Sunday early morning, 2 storylines were emerging out of Moraga, California: Saint Mary’s was officially poised to end Gonzaga’s reign atop the West Coast Conference, and Aidan Mahaney was ready to end up being a national name.Saint Mary’s came back in the last minutes to defeat Gonzaga in overtime, moving to 10-0 in the WCC– and taking a two-game lead on the Bulldogs in the league standings. There’s still plenty to play out in the final six games of 2022-23, but Gonzaga’s 10-year run with at least a share of the regular-season title is in severe danger.The catalyst for the Gaels ‘return was Mahaney, who has

emerged as one of the very best first-year players in college basketball. Over the last 6:25 of guideline plus overtime, Mahaney had 16 points and three assists, cementing himself in Saint Mary’s- Gonzaga competition lore.This may be the best Saint Mary’s team Randy Bennett has actually had because taking control of in 2001, and Mahaney looks like one of the best players Bennett has had in that time. But how good, actually, is Mahaney, and are the Gaels a second-weekend NCAA competition group? We talked to opposing coaches and NBA scouts to find out.Mahaney’s star turn puts him on the mapNeville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

The 6-foot-3 guard opted to stay near house in spite of being hired by several high-major programs. He entered the fall with some preseason hype, but no one anticipated him to be in the WCC Gamer of the Year conversation so rapidly. He’s balancing 15.0 points and shooting 41.6% from 3-point variety, and he has established himself as the team’s go-to man since moving into the beginning lineup 9 games into 2022-23.

“He looks like he might be conference Gamer of the Year,” one WCC coach said. “I thought he would be a great freshman, however [Tommy] Kuhse was also so great in 2015. He was so good at the end of games. Now, though, they have a genuine man. He’s responded to those concerns. The shots he was striking versus Gonzaga. Patty Mills and [Matthew] Dellavedova are the only 2 guys they’ve had who were this good as freshmen. He has amazing self-confidence.”

Mahaney’s late-game heroics were not limited to the Gonzaga game, either. In the two games prior, he hit the winner against BYU with 0.3 seconds delegated give Saint Mary’s a one-point win, and had 13 second-half points in the triumph over San Francisco.how he do that?!@saintmaryshoops|#WCCHoops pic.twitter.com/Ae1R9tflrg!.?.!— WCC

Basketball (@WCChoops)January 29, 2023″He’s mentally difficult,”one WCC executive stated.”He will get more athletic as he gets stronger. He’s comfy

in pick-and-roll. He can shoot on and off the ball. He’s not afraid. Houston didn’t daunt him. “While it’s prematurely to consider Mahaney a future NBA draft choice, his self-confidence and fast adjustment to the college game have at least

put him on the radar of scouts.